Two years ago, this middle school was at risk of being shut down by the city. Today it's a success story. What happened? Why was this successful? Do you think this would work at other schools? Should all schools have students using Google docs, blogs, etc.? It makes so much sense that students get bored, that is why they go out looking for things to occupy their time. With this fact students do not always make the best decisions and therefore become involved in gangs, drugs..etc. THe school in the video displayed the 360 a school can make when they get up to date with the students. Not only are these children adapting everyday life skills with school work, they have realized that they are trusted. Having that virtue of trust, can be life changing and inspiring to continue the positivity with school work. Madison
Technology was able to save a school that was about to fall apart. It created a significant impact on society, as it shows most people are dependent on technology today.
I think yes that this could happen at any school as long as the teachers were up with the times and could guide the children to use the technology that they have access to, to its fullest and take advantage of all it have to offer and all the skills that it can teach.
The school started thinking about what benefits the students this day and age.
The school was failing because the students were not interested in the material being taught. The schools were far behind the fast paced real world, so it was incredibly difficult for any onf the students to pay attention or maintain focus. When the school caught up to the outside world technologically, students became more active participants because the material was engaging and more to their standards. - ZaneTRushing Feb 24, 2010ZaneTRushing
Th school was in danger of being shut down, and the kids had a lack of enthusiasim to learn. THe material was boring and outdated. The school began to integrate technology and soon the kids were engaged in the learning environment. I think it may work at some schools, but somtimes technology is faulty and is more of a pain then a benefit. taylor smith
The school we were looking at in the video was in danger to be shut down, because almost all students were completely bored by the way of being taught.
Their normal lives are filled up with fast living technology and media and for this reason they could not concentrate on the classes being very slow and without any media.
That is why their reaction and attitude strongly changed having this technology and new ways for learning.In this case Google really saved the school by changeing the way of getting to know things in an interesting way for the pupils.
Julien Drehsen
The kids were not doing well in school because they were bored. They were so used to having everything immediately at their fingertips they got bored easily when not using technology. I think that providing laptops for all the kids would not necessarily be a good thing; usually it is harder to pay attention with a computer in my lap. The obvious challenge for using technology in the classroom would be kids not focusing. It would be really hard to focus on writing a paper if you have the internet right there.
Helena
Essentially, when the school brought technology into the classrooms, the whole school completely transformed, allowing all the students to participate fully in the the classroom and in the world. The laptops allowed the students to see beyond the every day problems in school and poverty in the community and onto the rest of the global internet community.
The school was able to create an environment for its students in which they were engaged and excited to be learning. It gave them enough freedom by allowing them to use games and photobooth, instead of confining them to a handful of sites and programs. The teachers understood that multi-tasking was important to the kids, and allowed them to do so in many ways. It is highly unlikely that every person's laptop would have been able to be monitored at all moments throughout the day. I think that this shows a lot of trust that the staff had to have in the students, and I'm sure that this created a better environment for everyone. I think it would work at any school where they have open minded people in the administration who embrace the change and help foster creativity and challenge the students through it. I think that all schools should be using Google apps because they are a wonderful resource that can be used from any computer by just signing in. They allow for a great deal of mobility that students really gravitate towards, and I think can be used as an effect way to teach this generation... at least until something new comes along... - catherinemccurdy Feb 24, 2010
Google can change schools but the question is how the school will be able to fund switching over.
It's great that technology can be beneficial, and if students/people aren't inspired to learn and it helps them want to learn then I think that is
a good reason to use it. Although it is kind of sad that students attention spans don't last very long now and they were so bored with regular
regular learning, but I think it's awesome that they actually get things done and run on a trust system.- Krystaa Feb 24, 2010krystaa
All students should have access to the Google applications. The others aren't as essential, however the google docs application allows students to have their school works saved in a central location where they can access it anywhere from the web, and avoid viruses on thumb drives ect. The access to blogging could be useful, however it's not 100% necessary. The etc in the question could be taken in any dirrection though and so are gaming sites in the etc. catagory or not? The etc should be better defined.
The school was in risk of being shut down because it was poor and the kids just didn't care about learning with the styles the teacher provided. It changed when they were all provided laptops, they grew interested with all of the new things that could be taught to them and in many different ways. I think that all students should have access to Google docs, blogs, etc. because it is truly a great tool for learning and the schools just need to figure out a way to get caught up to the world we live in today, which is full of technology.
- dasves Feb 24, 2010Demi A.
I think that this story would work for most schools, but maybe not for all of them. I feel like it depends upon how the teachers teach if it will work for other schools. - stephanienk Feb 24, 2010stephanienk
at the beginning of our story, we see a school in danger of being shut down. but today, they are flourishing with talented students ready to learn. the difference between then and now is laptops. before principal jason gave them access to individual laptops, kids werent being challenged, they had low test scores, lots of fights between classes, discipline problems were frequent problems. when principal jason stepped in and gave the kids access to their individual laptops, teachers did not take it seriously as a way to solve these problems. so they were extremely surprised to find that all the above problems quickly went away as kids were able to be intertained while learning, making them look forward to class time. they were allowed to multitask (look at themselves in the computer mirrors, chat online with each other, etc), as long as they got their required work done. i believe that if it is made possible at one high school, it can easy happen in others. though people say we are all individuals, we are also a lot alike. that includes learning techniques as well. if asked which do they prefer chalkboard of smartboard, laptop or paper, most will answer with technology. because with technology there is no waiting at all, everything is at the click of a button. - rachelcannon Feb 24, 2010rachelcannon
Today, there is so much technology around us that has become a part of our daily lives that it is hard NOT to use technology, especially digital technology. And because the majority of the nation has access to this technology virtually everywhere they go, it has become a part of a majority of occupations and IS essential to the lives of most of us. For instance, many records are now kept in files on a computer, and schools are using digital technology to help boost the learning of their children. So yes, digital technology is almost as essential as oxygen in the society we live in today. --Katherine C.
The school has found a way to make kids more interseted in learning by giving them labtops that they can use in class. There are no blocked web sites and they are able to gto any web site as long as they are getting there work done in the amount of time given. This school wasnt doing so well in grades, but when they swtiched it made kids what to learn more and made it fun for them. I feel that this would be a good thing to try in our schools today. Letting kids have some freedom and letting them be independent for that short amount of time they have to do their assignment.
~nina~
Technology is a great tool for learning. The extent of learning that can be derived from this is really endless. I think that kids will be more interested in school work if they have computers because it is more interesting than a teacher lecturing and the students just sitting and hearing. This also allows teachers to be more creative and have new lesson plans that could foster better learning. Technology, whether you like it or not, is going to be part of our world in the future. It's a good thing that kids get exposed and familiar with it early on. - Edward M.
Where Do You Stand?: Technology in our Schools
Choose one of the statements from the poll to discuss further . . .
Today, access to digital technology is as essential as oxygen.
I agree with this. Kids these days are getting used to using laptops, calculators, cellphones, and music players. It has replaced various means and has overtopped the newspaper, radio, traditional education system, and even most of television.
I disagree with this statement because even though technology is a large part of the American lifestyle, it doesn't mean that we have to make it our entire way of living. Technology does have its benefits, but so does drinking red wine, and in any case it doesn't mean that I'm going to consume (or be consumed) by either. People may not realize that they can live without their cellphone or their laptop, because they've just never had to, and that makes people think of it as painful or impossible. We need to investigate the effects technology has on us, before we can embrace it-and even then, we should only use to enhance our lives, not completely depend on it.
I definitely don't agree that technology is as essential as oxgyen. Or, I hope it's not. Oxygen is something we need to survive and live, you can't get
by without it, and I don't think it's the same with technology, or it shouldn't be. Sure, to use it in a beneficial way is good, if you're learning through
school or connecting with others I'm all for that. But I don't think it should be something that takes over our lives, I can't say this enough.
I completely agree with the person above, we should use technology to enhance our lives but not depend on it. Sometimes I feel like the world is too
consumed with technology and the next best thing, I really hope that it is not as essential as oxgyen because people can and have definitely
survived without technology before. - Krystaa Feb 24, 2010krystaa
I agree! I have a learning disability and I use technology all the time as a spelling tool!
Technology is important today but I think calling it as essential as oxygen is a big stretch. In school it is way better if there is some technology but it wouldln't be necessary to have technology facilitate and be the means for our whole education. Helena
Oxygen is far more important than thechnology. I'll die without oxygen, but I won't die without technology (that is assuming that I don't use an internal defribulator).
Theoretically you could die without technology. In today's world, if you don't keep up with our interconnected society, don't make use of the incredible technology and resources available, you are essentially dead. You are unknown if you don't give yourself a voice via the internet, and if you don't have the technological skills necessary to function in today's job market you will figuratively cease to exist. - ZaneTRushing Feb 24, 2010ZaneTRushing
I agree that digital technology is incredibly important. I think that we should use it to perform as many tasks as we can, and to make our lives more enjoyable and productive. I think that it should be used especially in schools so that all students are exposed to the technology despite their socio-economic background. I think that it is essential to know how to use a variety of forms of technology, and students will do much better in the "real world" if they have these real life skills. I think that students would be more prepared for a technology filled workforce if they have this background. So in terms of getting a job, technology is very essential, perhaps not as essential as oxygen, but it's deffinitely up there with food. - catherinemccurdy Feb 24, 2010
I think that these types of programs using the computers in class and home, will work for some schools. I really couldn't say that it wouldn't because we sort of use the computers in class almost all the time and we have a school that does that to in our district. I think what they are doing is helping the kids learn things that they will need in the real world for example responsiblity and learning how to stay focused. Although it might be to distracting for some kids and not let them be able to do there work, i don't see where the teachers are able to have that one on one time with the students like we do here. Also i don't see how they can tell when a student is having a difficult time in the class. - colina1 Feb 24, 2010nicole
Technology these days is benifical for schools, without it kids could still make good grades and study. Although with it
kids who have a harder time studying with books would be able to study easyer too. Schools should have labtops accesible to students with different learning types. - xyoruhimex Feb 24, 2010xYoruhimex
While technology is essential to human learning, and American society revolves around technology, I wouldn't go as far to say it is as essential as oxygen. Oxygen needs to consumed regularly, in a matter of seconds, even when one is sleeping we continue to make use of oxygen. This is not true for technology, I think the similie that digital technology is as essential as food, may be more appropriate. ;) - andmey Feb 24, 2010andmey Andrew Meyer
Technology has become essential to schooling and learning. Students use technology at home when researching topics and composing
final products for their school. So, laptops should be available in school with little internet restricition in order to allow the students to continue their work at school as well as at home. If a school did not offer any sort of technological tools to its student s it would be hindering their learning by not teaching them how to efficiently use the internet and computer to their advantage. - miamalo Feb 24, 2010miamalo
I feel that students and kids believe this, but it's not true. We do use technology every day of our lives, but we can live without it. Other people have lived without it so why cant we? - stephanienk Feb 24, 2010stephanienk
I believe that technology is a big part of children's lives today. In many cases children spend the majority of their time a day using technology either with their phone or in front of the computer. So for people to day that digital technology is as essential as oxygen is going a little over the top, but I do agree that digital technology is becoming a helpful tool to have around for people to use.- Carla329 Feb 24, 2010Carla329
It is the teachers, not the technology, that make school improvement possible.
The teachers are the ones that need to utilize the technology. Many (older) teachers do not know all that is available for them to use in the classroom. These teachers need to be one step ahead of the kids to make them interested in what they are doing which in turn will improve the school.
In some ways, the teachers are the ones who transform the way schools work. But sometimes it doesn't matter how devoted a teacher may be, if there is not the level of technology available then there will not be the level of education needed by the students to succeed. It's vital for both to be present in a classroom. Without a good teacher, the students will not learn what they must to suceed in life. Without good technology, then students will be unable to progress as they should in life. So I honestly believe that schools reequire both to be entirely successful.
Both the teachers and the technology play a huge role in the improvement of schools. The teachers can use the technology to help their students be successful.
Well I remember in middle school I had a teacher that used technology all the time and the class did not learn any English or read the books that were required. I would say it is the teacher that makes the class.
Along with the technology that changes, the way schooling is looked at should change as well. Teachers need to become more open minded to doing classwork a different way. It is an excellent tool that we have, now we just have to put it to use.
For teens, laptops in school are just another technology toy.
We may use them for our own personal fun at times, Yes, but that doesn't mean we're not going to do our work first, and do a great job at what we do with the laptops. We are. So nobody needs to worry about that.
Laptops can be used as a huge toy, and maybe that is what most sttudents/teenagers want to do with them.But to my mind these kids basicly want to see something new and being entertaint.That is why a laptop can be the perfect tool for teens to make them learn in a fast, interactive and entertaining way for them.So finally it is a lot more than just a toy for them, it is a great learning tool that also prepares them for their future job, where they have a big possibility of needing to use technology.
Julien Drehsen
Learning to properly manage time and use technology appropriately is a major life lesson, and it would be easy for this to be taught in schools if they provided the technology and ample opportunities for students to use it. - ZaneTRushing Feb 24, 2010ZaneTRushing
Agree and disagree. I play on computers all the time whenever I turn it on but I often multitask and work as well.
Technology can transform failing schools.
I think this video was a really great idea, i wish all schools were like that, because I too always feel like i need to have technology in my hands at all times (my phone or my ipod). It just helps me relax and feel updated on what is going on and i can check my e-mail from my phone to see if colleges or scholarships have sent me anything that I need to finish for the applications or just any updates about the school. So I encourage school districts to consider the idea. It will only help the students and teach them to be responsible for their items and that if they do not follow the rules then there will be consequences which will only stop them from dong what they have to do for class, which affects their grades, which will help them in the long for college.
It's not feasible for schools to constantly monitor kids' use of online technologies.
I do not think that it is feasible for schools to constantly monitor kids' use of online technologies because although you may be able to access one computer at a time, you can't access all of them and constantly be telling them what to do. I think it's important for the kid to grow responsible with the computer and realize that what he or she needs to be doing is school work and that they can access Facebook or Myspace later. I think giving a kid this responsibility is important and although monitoring can be done to an extent, it can't be constant.
- dasves Feb 24, 2010Demi Most teachers can make effective use of laptops and new technologies for learning.
Personally, new technologies interest me more than just a pen and paper type of activity, so I pay more attention and have more fun learning things when the use of technology is present. For example, Mrs. Ramirez's class was a lot more interesting and easier to pay attention in when she had her smartboard because it was so interactive with our learning. I think that if more teachers used technology more frequently than they do now, kids would pay more attention to the lessons and get more out of them.
--Katherine C
The use of monitoring software on school laptops is an unethical type of spying.
It is beyond ridiculous to believe that it is an invasion of privacy to monitor student activities on the web at school. The computers the students are using belong to the school district not the student, therefore, the school district has the right to monitor what is being done with their belongings. It is not meant to truly invade a students privacy or for some malicious ploy by an adult, it is merely to make sure that a student is making proper use of the technology. Regardless, if a student is viewing inappropriate material or partaking in inappropriate activity and doesn't want to be caught then they should be misusing the technology. Monitoring student activity is purely for the sake of the school district to protect the students and the technological device. There are video cameras, police officers, and more used to monitor students throughout the school day, how is observing student activity on a computer much different? Parents trust that from the moment they drop off their student to the time they pick them up, the school is protecting them and making sure they receive an adequate education. Parents shouldn't be afraid of the school doing what they agreed to do, they should be afraid of what would happen if the school didn't abide. Students are always going to push the boundaries and until they stop it is understandable and completely justified for a school to monitor the student.
I think that the vice-principle being able to look in on what students are doing on laptops is a much more reasonable type of monitoring compared to automated blocking of sites because a real person can see the context of the situation. Like if the student is writing a report on female genital mutilation for MUN for example.
Discuss: What Are the Obstacles?
What are the obstacles teachers face in using technology in the classroom?
See other people's responses and consider posting your own at What Are the Obstacles
Teachers face a lack of funding for technology. There are so many opportunites for learning with technology, but if schools do not purchase the materials, teachers can only talk about the fantastic things that they could do with technology but not actually do them. An older generation of teachers that are still teaching are still behind the tech curve and lack the know how to use technology while teaching. This leads to some teachers teaching with technology and some still using the ancient tools of a "chalkboard and chalk." Teachers can introduce a whole new of teaching to students that is interesting and can be "fun," but with out the means to do so, technology is useless for one of the most important things: an education.
Teachers have virtually no control. Technology gives power to the user, not the elder (parent or teacher). They can only censor so much, because you can only restrict so many possibilities.
For starters teachers and schools lack the money to get the newer more advanced technologies for their classrooms.
They also would be giving more control of what the kids learn, to the kids. If you give the kids unmonitored internets the you are
basically giving them freedom to multitask when they do their work. So you will have to assume kids will do their work and also work on other things as well. - xyoruhimex Feb 24, 2010xYoruhimex
The virtual world is not completely controlable so that the students are able to visit sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or even gaming websites.No teacher can control all the pupils and what they are doing on their laptops.But still they can give them enough new work that needs attention and interacting, so that the students have to do the task even though they might be multitasking.
Julien Drehsen
The lack of security that the student are actually using the technology for the assignments or just for fun and games. It's a distracting yet useful part of learning. Taylor
The obstaces that teachers face when trying to introduce technology to their students is enumerable: they have to get approval from their authority, they have to be able to keep the students interests from wondering into games, they have to have the funding for such technology: aside from all of the obstacles, I think the benefits of technology in the classroom is worth it. - andmey Feb 24, 2010
I think that the biggest obstacle that teachers face when using technology is with themselves. They have to basically learn a new form of teaching than they probably were exposed to during their college years, or when they were "learning how to teach." This could be especially frightening to some teachers, and I think that is one of the main reasons that technology is not used as much as it could be in classrooms. They have to tweak their lesson plans, and learn to engage students, and at the same time make sure that they are not off task, but being challenged. - catherinemccurdy Feb 24, 2010
The obstacles that teachers face are kids that will either multi-task or completely just not do the assignment and surf the web for fun and games. The teacher can't monitor thek kids constantly so I think that it's the teachers responsibility to make the project fun and challenging so that the kids want to participate in it. You'll always have the kids that don't want to but that sometimes can't be helped.
Funding is a huge obstacle for many schools that are considering adapting to the modern technological times. Also, the willingness of teachers and administraters is a big obstacle because of the belief that we (the students) will abuse our rights to the technology and use it innapropriatley. I think that because many teachers have these preconceived notions that students will only rebel and abuse technology, there is hesitation on whether or not to upgrade the school's technology. I think that if those teachers who are skeptical about it have a bit more trust in the students, they will find that technology will actually advance our ways of learning. --Katherine C.
Discuss: Games That Teach
There is a robust debate about how what happens in virtual worlds may affect behaviors and actions in the real world. Researchers and educators are exploring how video games can be used in real-world ways both positive and practical; for example, in military training, medicine, mental health and education. What do you think?
I think that there are good and bad to everything. Just like James Paul Gee stated in his interview, everything can be used for good or bad and it will. So nothing is absolutely 100% used positivly. With that being said, we know that there is a problem with video game addiction and that there are people who sit on their couch all day and play combat games or other ones instead of going to a job or talking to their family, BUT that is a very small percentage compared to the part of society that plays games for recreation and simultaneously acquiring these extra skills they might not have other wise had. And i think that those people are proof enough that gaming has an overall positive effect on society.
Games can teach if its the right kind of game. Apparently kids who play video games are more likely to be literate than someone who watches tv. That tells you something...games can be educationally halpful. Helena
Every game teaches, something even if it is just how to play that one game. In a game where you just have to kill zombie kittens, for example, you are learning how to kill zombie kittens, if nothing else. The question should be what should games be teaching, not should games teach? Because games will teach whomever is playing them. I think there needs to be a distinction between video games and real life simulations, as the line between the two is beginning to blur with video games becoming closer and closer to real life simulations. I think if any field can successfully learn from video games that they should do so, as real life experiences are more memorable and easier to recall than simply reading instruction. - andmey Feb 24, 2010
If I shoot someone in the head, in a video game, that is nothing like doing that in real life. Video games are only a simulation, they give the player no emotional connection to situations. They are made to entertain, to escape the real world. I don't see how we can use these games to switch from recreation to preparation- except for on a minimal level. Video games can help, but they can't solve problems.
I believe that there is benefit from games to the world, but there are some that may cause kids who know no better to become voilent in life only because they saw it in a fantasy world that seems so real, so why not do that in real life too? Taylor
I think that games can teach. However, there is a caveat, I think that they will be more effective teaching tools if the players know what they are learning, rather than having an outsider realize that the games are teaching people. I think that the majority of people play video games as stress relief, to keep themselves from having direct human to human contact, and because they really enjoy the games and can get lost in them. I think that educational video games are great, and that there is a real need for more of them to teach different skills. Perhaps video games could replace the " for Dummies" manuals. There is a great deal of opportunity for videogames, and I think that they should be used to train people in many different settings. However this training should be paired with "real life" training also. - catherinemccurdy Feb 24, 2010
I think to an extent that you can use videogames to learn and to teach but I think that's only at the beginning of training. Always, it would be more helpful to have real physical training, for instance I would not want a doctor to do surgery on me if he had only done virtual surgery. I also think that too much violent video game playing definitely affects the way that you act, and that there is probably a limit to how much is considered healthy and unhealthy.
James Paul Gee, had stated it very well when he claimed that these things can be used for either positive or negative purposes. Video games are a type of social collaboration tool that can help develop students' abilities to collaborate amongst eachother to fight a zombie invasion, or any other type of goal. There is a caveat, associated with certain games that contain criminal acts. Obviously one can do that in a virtual world, yet in reality there are dire consequences that go with those actions, therefore its up to the gamers to understand its a game and not reality. These types of games are already integrated with military training, US soldiers use gaming machines to better learn different acts of engagement and combat. Unfortunately I'm not aware of the applications with medicine and mental health/education. - cporra Mar 4, 2011
Choose one of the statements from the poll to discuss further . . .
There's no real difference between reading and playing video games. They are both diversions that take you out of the real world.
There is an extreme difference between reading and playing video games. On a broad scale they can both challenge the mind and introduce a fanciful world, but reading opens the door the an entirely different array of learning that video games will never be able to do.
Reading is completely one sided - The author's point of view won't change if you disagree with the text. If you prove the author wrong, the text won't magically rearrange itself to say something that is agreeable to you. Video games allow for interactivity. The brain develops while experiencing various situations, and learns complex social skills and patterns that could not be taught by books alone. Video games do not replace reading; Books allow the reader to view the world through another's eyes, while games allow you to create a world that is entirely your own, based on your own actions and decisions. There is much to be learned from both. A student who only pays attention to video games will be as unsuccessful as a school that only teaches from books. - ZaneTRushing Feb 24, 2010ZaneTRushing
Reading is extremely different from playing video games. Although they both engage the mind, many two things engage the mind that are not the same (for example watching tv and listening to music). Reading is more challenging and requires concentration and the ability to sit down and stay focused for a certain amount of time while videogames don't require the same things. You don't necessarily need to be focused to play videogames and many of them are non-educational, while I think you can always find a book that would be educational in some way.
- dasves Feb 24, 2010Demi A. People learn important collaborative skills when playing online games.
They learn to virtually collaborate, but how can that truly transfer into real world PHYSICAL applications? Just because you can get a high score by shooting the most people with your team on modern warfare doesn't mean you will be able to do the same in real life. Video games have attributed to anti-social kids that lack people skills for the future job force.
Commenting to Its not about how many people you shoot. You are not going to go into the real world and see what kind of shots you could make. I think most of the positive things that come from playing these games are sub conscious. It makes you think about things differently, you learn how to problem solve, strategize, etc. Its not about the score you make its about what you are teaching yourself in order to play and score points. If you haven't noticed, it is not just the anti social kids that play video games. Most of society plays video games and NOT every person in society is anti social like you are saying. It helps more people than it hurts. There are always exceptions and Yes there are people who are addicted to video games, but you find those exceptions in everything in life. There will always be that person. BUT i think that these type of games stimulate the mind and help society more than it hurts.
Games are now social. They allow us to collaborate and use social skills. Although many skills are involved in "gaming" many skills are not. Video games do not allow us to use some of our important senses. The physical maechanism is lacking when playing video games to actually doiong something in real life.
People who use video games are gaining skills that make them more effective in the real world.
Unless they are going to create games or be a game tester, other than a few problem solving skills, video games do not attribute much.
When I was in the eighth grade, I took AP English. Every day after school, without fail, I would do two things: Read the Odyssey, which was our assigned homework in English, and play Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. I devoted my full attention to whichever item I was working on, and spent about the same time doing both. From the Odyssey, I learned a lot about Homer's writing and the style of Greek literature. From Ace Attorney, I learned how to logically connect events together to learn new information, keep my mind open to new possibilities, and how to prepare and defend an argument. Today, I still remember very much about both activities, but I have never once used any of the information that I learned from the Odyssey. I use logical thought processes and defend my statements through evidence and mental flexibility on a daily basis. For years to come I will continue to use these skills at home, school, work, or anywhere else, but unless I am a Jeopardy! contestant choosing questions under the topic "Homer's Odyssey," the life skills I learned from playing a short video game will be infinitely more useful in the real world than what weeks of reading a classic work of literature could. I am glad that I read the epic, I enjoyed it and being able to expand my understanding of literature. I am not saying that books are useless and that video games are the only viable method of learning. I only showed that to me personally, playing video games has helped me gain several useful life skills. - ZaneTRushing Feb 24, 2010ZaneTRushing
Even if academic experts think video games are useful, addiction to video games is a real problem.
Yes, to my mind video games are very use/helpfulto a specific extend.People are given the possibilty to discover new things about themselves by creating and living in another world with another charecter.Moreover they gain important skills for collaborating in a group and fulfilling a task of the team.
But on the other hand there is the dangerous aspect of addiction to an irreal world.Nothing they do in the space of media and the internet is directly changing teheir real lives.So just playing video games for increasing your groupwork is good, but as all the games have an addicting factor, since they have been produced to sell as many of them as possible and keeping the gamers playing it, the people being involved are in danger of loosing parts of their real life and not being able just to talk to someone, who is phisically right in front of them, because they have actually been all alone playing their games.
Julien Drehsen
I agree with the idea that people have become addicted to and dependent on their video games, and subsequently their virtual worlds that they play in. This is not to say that everyone who picks up a controller will have these problems, so I don't think that this should hinder the use of video games in a moderate fashion. I think that parents need to engage their children who spend lots of time with video games, and make sure that that is not all they are doing. It is important to know how to act and react in a digital world, but it is not good to be lost in that world and let the things around you fall away to leave you alone in a dark room with only your television or computer blinking at you. - catherinemccurdy Feb 24, 2010
Any addiction is a "real problem". The way to avoid this is by having parents monitor the amount of time a kid spends on a certain video game if they notice that that is the only thing his/her child is doing with their life. Video games, just like any other thing on this planet, has both pros and cons. It just depends on which ones you choose to focus on that decides your opinion on them. --Katherine C.
Collaborative work is not genuinely valued in schools because tests are all about individual performance.
Too true. Schools focus more on performance and ratings and numbers and money that making sure their students may succeed once they have left the school. If a school really cared about the future of its students, the schools would work harder to teach their students important skills instead of passing useless examinations.
Usually when kids have collaborated on homework they automatically are accused of cheating. They like the kids to do it on their own with little outside help fromthe other students if you need help its alomost better to go to a teacher so that you can ensure the safety of your own grade and not have the accuisation of cheating, and on tests your alone. It's all about what you can do. Taylor
When people play videogames, they gain insight and learn about themselves.
People usually play video games. However, the only thing people normally learn about from playing video games is that they like the video game. They are seen as a video game person. They might have friends who play the same video games, but they aren't learning much about themselves besides the game itself.
I think this is true, because you find the games that you are good at or want to be really good at them so you learn what YOU are good at(:
This is a valid claim in the sense that while playing a game, a gamer may discover where he has stronger abilities at. These stronger abilities are in reference to the game not reality itself. I say this because youre not necessarily excellent at playing a sport, if you haave only played a computer generated version of it. In addition, the custimization of a character, shows the gamer what they are like and where they want to improve their physical and sometimes mental characteristics. - cporra Mar 4, 2011
The use of monitoring software on school laptops is an unethical type of spying.
I do not think this is unethical because teachers need to know whether their students are doing the right thing or not. If they aren't doing their work then they need to get back to their work. - stephanienk Feb 24, 2010stephanienk
Interesting Ideas
What were the most interesting ideas you discovered inDigital Nation: Learning? Why did these resonate with you?
The "monitoring" system that the principal had. Usually, the violation of privacy can be horrible, but at the same time, it shows the administration videos of students either doing their homework or messing around. It is a very interesting system. However, people share different views on them. I would not like to be monitered by a "Big Brother"-like group. However, we are actually monitored by other people ... it is really freaky if you think about it.
in response to the comment above, i would agree that big brother is scary but only if it actually is invading your privacy. For instance if people were monitoring the private things i was doing in My own home, in my own personal private space then i would not approve of big brother. But in school you agree to abide by the rules that they have. PLUS they are providing a computer for you to use. So yes they have every right to make sure you are doing what you are supposed to do. You agreed to it, if you are going to to use their computers.
Questions & Comments
Please pose at least one question and respond to at least one question aboutDigital Nation: Learning?
If technology could save a school in America, what if children in developing nations were exposed to such technology and knowledge?
Discuss: Can Google Change a School?
Two years ago, this middle school was at risk of being shut down by the city.Today it's a success story. What happened? Why was this successful? Do you think this would work at other schools?
Should all schools have students using Google docs, blogs, etc.?
It makes so much sense that students get bored, that is why they go out looking for things to occupy their time. With this fact students do not always make the best decisions and therefore become involved in gangs, drugs..etc. THe school in the video displayed the 360 a school can make when they get up to date with the students. Not only are these children adapting everyday life skills with school work, they have realized that they are trusted. Having that virtue of trust, can be life changing and inspiring to continue the positivity with school work.
Madison
- Technology was able to save a school that was about to fall apart. It created a significant impact on society, as it shows most people are dependent on technology today.
- I think yes that this could happen at any school as long as the teachers were up with the times and could guide the children to use the technology that they have access to, to its fullest and take advantage of all it have to offer and all the skills that it can teach.
- The school started thinking about what benefits the students this day and age.
- The school was failing because the students were not interested in the material being taught. The schools were far behind the fast paced real world, so it was incredibly difficult for any onf the students to pay attention or maintain focus. When the school caught up to the outside world technologically, students became more active participants because the material was engaging and more to their standards. -
ZaneTRushing Feb 24, 2010ZaneTRushing - Th school was in danger of being shut down, and the kids had a lack of enthusiasim to learn. THe material was boring and outdated. The school began to integrate technology and soon the kids were engaged in the learning environment. I think it may work at some schools, but somtimes technology is faulty and is more of a pain then a benefit. taylor smith
- The school we were looking at in the video was in danger to be shut down, because almost all students were completely bored by the way of being taught.
- The kids were not doing well in school because they were bored. They were so used to having everything immediately at their fingertips they got bored easily when not using technology. I think that providing laptops for all the kids would not necessarily be a good thing; usually it is harder to pay attention with a computer in my lap. The obvious challenge for using technology in the classroom would be kids not focusing. It would be really hard to focus on writing a paper if you have the internet right there.
- Essentially, when the school brought technology into the classrooms, the whole school completely transformed, allowing all the students to participate fully in the the classroom and in the world. The laptops allowed the students to see beyond the every day problems in school and poverty in the community and onto the rest of the global internet community.
- The school was able to create an environment for its students in which they were engaged and excited to be learning. It gave them enough freedom by allowing them to use games and photobooth, instead of confining them to a handful of sites and programs. The teachers understood that multi-tasking was important to the kids, and allowed them to do so in many ways. It is highly unlikely that every person's laptop would have been able to be monitored at all moments throughout the day. I think that this shows a lot of trust that the staff had to have in the students, and I'm sure that this created a better environment for everyone. I think it would work at any school where they have open minded people in the administration who embrace the change and help foster creativity and challenge the students through it. I think that all schools should be using Google apps because they are a wonderful resource that can be used from any computer by just signing in. They allow for a great deal of mobility that students really gravitate towards, and I think can be used as an effect way to teach this generation... at least until something new comes along... -
catherinemccurdy Feb 24, 2010 - Google can change schools but the question is how the school will be able to fund switching over.
- It's great that technology can be beneficial, and if students/people aren't inspired to learn and it helps them want to learn then I think that is
Krystaa Feb 24, 2010krystaa - All students should have access to the Google applications. The others aren't as essential, however the google docs application allows students to have their school works saved in a central location where they can access it anywhere from the web, and avoid viruses on thumb drives ect. The access to blogging could be useful, however it's not 100% necessary. The etc in the question could be taken in any dirrection though and so are gaming sites in the etc. catagory or not? The etc should be better defined.
- The school was in risk of being shut down because it was poor and the kids just didn't care about learning with the styles the teacher provided. It changed when they were all provided laptops, they grew interested with all of the new things that could be taught to them and in many different ways. I think that all students should have access to Google docs, blogs, etc. because it is truly a great tool for learning and the schools just need to figure out a way to get caught up to the world we live in today, which is full of technology.
-Their normal lives are filled up with fast living technology and media and for this reason they could not concentrate on the classes being very slow and without any media.
That is why their reaction and attitude strongly changed having this technology and new ways for learning.In this case Google really saved the school by changeing the way of getting to know things in an interesting way for the pupils.
Julien Drehsen
Helena
a good reason to use it. Although it is kind of sad that students attention spans don't last very long now and they were so bored with regular
regular learning, but I think it's awesome that they actually get things done and run on a trust system.-
I think that this story would work for most schools, but maybe not for all of them. I feel like it depends upon how the teachers teach if it will work for other schools. -
at the beginning of our story, we see a school in danger of being shut down. but today, they are flourishing with talented students ready to learn. the difference between then and now is laptops. before principal jason gave them access to individual laptops, kids werent being challenged, they had low test scores, lots of fights between classes, discipline problems were frequent problems. when principal jason stepped in and gave the kids access to their individual laptops, teachers did not take it seriously as a way to solve these problems. so they were extremely surprised to find that all the above problems quickly went away as kids were able to be intertained while learning, making them look forward to class time. they were allowed to multitask (look at themselves in the computer mirrors, chat online with each other, etc), as long as they got their required work done. i believe that if it is made possible at one high school, it can easy happen in others. though people say we are all individuals, we are also a lot alike. that includes learning techniques as well. if asked which do they prefer chalkboard of smartboard, laptop or paper, most will answer with technology. because with technology there is no waiting at all, everything is at the click of a button.
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The school has found a way to make kids more interseted in learning by giving them labtops that they can use in class. There are no blocked web sites and they are able to gto any web site as long as they are getting there work done in the amount of time given. This school wasnt doing so well in grades, but when they swtiched it made kids what to learn more and made it fun for them. I feel that this would be a good thing to try in our schools today. Letting kids have some freedom and letting them be independent for that short amount of time they have to do their assignment.
~nina~
Technology is a great tool for learning. The extent of learning that can be derived from this is really endless. I think that kids will be more interested in school work if they have computers because it is more interesting than a teacher lecturing and the students just sitting and hearing. This also allows teachers to be more creative and have new lesson plans that could foster better learning. Technology, whether you like it or not, is going to be part of our world in the future. It's a good thing that kids get exposed and familiar with it early on. - Edward M.
Where Do You Stand?: Technology in our Schools
Choose one of the statements from the poll to discuss further . . .Today, access to digital technology is as essential as oxygen.
by without it, and I don't think it's the same with technology, or it shouldn't be. Sure, to use it in a beneficial way is good, if you're learning through
school or connecting with others I'm all for that. But I don't think it should be something that takes over our lives, I can't say this enough.
I completely agree with the person above, we should use technology to enhance our lives but not depend on it. Sometimes I feel like the world is too
consumed with technology and the next best thing, I really hope that it is not as essential as oxgyen because people can and have definitely
survived without technology before. -
kids who have a harder time studying with books would be able to study easyer too. Schools should have labtops accesible to students with different learning types.
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final products for their school. So, laptops should be available in school with little internet restricition in order to allow the students to continue their work at school as well as at home. If a school did not offer any sort of technological tools to its student s it would be hindering their learning by not teaching them how to efficiently use the internet and computer to their advantage. -
It is the teachers, not the technology, that make school improvement possible.
For teens, laptops in school are just another technology toy.
- We may use them for our own personal fun at times, Yes, but that doesn't mean we're not going to do our work first, and do a great job at what we do with the laptops. We are. So nobody needs to worry about that.
- Laptops can be used as a huge toy, and maybe that is what most sttudents/teenagers want to do with them.But to my mind these kids basicly want to see something new and being entertaint.That is why a laptop can be the perfect tool for teens to make them learn in a fast, interactive and entertaining way for them.So finally it is a lot more than just a toy for them, it is a great learning tool that also prepares them for their future job, where they have a big possibility of needing to use technology.
- Learning to properly manage time and use technology appropriately is a major life lesson, and it would be easy for this to be taught in schools if they provided the technology and ample opportunities for students to use it. -
ZaneTRushing Feb 24, 2010ZaneTRushing - Agree and disagree. I play on computers all the time whenever I turn it on but I often multitask and work as well.
Technology can transform failing schools.Julien Drehsen
It's not feasible for schools to constantly monitor kids' use of online technologies.
I do not think that it is feasible for schools to constantly monitor kids' use of online technologies because although you may be able to access one computer at a time, you can't access all of them and constantly be telling them what to do. I think it's important for the kid to grow responsible with the computer and realize that what he or she needs to be doing is school work and that they can access Facebook or Myspace later. I think giving a kid this responsibility is important and although monitoring can be done to an extent, it can't be constant.
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Most teachers can make effective use of laptops and new technologies for learning.
Personally, new technologies interest me more than just a pen and paper type of activity, so I pay more attention and have more fun learning things when the use of technology is present. For example, Mrs. Ramirez's class was a lot more interesting and easier to pay attention in when she had her smartboard because it was so interactive with our learning. I think that if more teachers used technology more frequently than they do now, kids would pay more attention to the lessons and get more out of them.
--Katherine C
The use of monitoring software on school laptops is an unethical type of spying.
Discuss: What Are the Obstacles?
What are the obstacles teachers face in using technology in the classroom?See other people's responses and consider posting your own at What Are the Obstacles
- Teachers face a lack of funding for technology. There are so many opportunites for learning with technology, but if schools do not purchase the materials, teachers can only talk about the fantastic things that they could do with technology but not actually do them. An older generation of teachers that are still teaching are still behind the tech curve and lack the know how to use technology while teaching. This leads to some teachers teaching with technology and some still using the ancient tools of a "chalkboard and chalk." Teachers can introduce a whole new of teaching to students that is interesting and can be "fun," but with out the means to do so, technology is useless for one of the most important things: an education.
- Teachers have virtually no control. Technology gives power to the user, not the elder (parent or teacher). They can only censor so much, because you can only restrict so many possibilities.
- For starters teachers and schools lack the money to get the newer more advanced technologies for their classrooms.
xyoruhimex Feb 24, 2010xYoruhimex - The virtual world is not completely controlable so that the students are able to visit sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or even gaming websites.No teacher can control all the pupils and what they are doing on their laptops.But still they can give them enough new work that needs attention and interacting, so that the students have to do the task even though they might be multitasking.
- The lack of security that the student are actually using the technology for the assignments or just for fun and games. It's a distracting yet useful part of learning. Taylor
- The obstaces that teachers face when trying to introduce technology to their students is enumerable: they have to get approval from their authority, they have to be able to keep the students interests from wondering into games, they have to have the funding for such technology: aside from all of the obstacles, I think the benefits of technology in the classroom is worth it. -
andmey Feb 24, 2010 - I think that the biggest obstacle that teachers face when using technology is with themselves. They have to basically learn a new form of teaching than they probably were exposed to during their college years, or when they were "learning how to teach." This could be especially frightening to some teachers, and I think that is one of the main reasons that technology is not used as much as it could be in classrooms. They have to tweak their lesson plans, and learn to engage students, and at the same time make sure that they are not off task, but being challenged. -
catherinemccurdy Feb 24, 2010 - The obstacles that teachers face are kids that will either multi-task or completely just not do the assignment and surf the web for fun and games. The teacher can't monitor thek kids constantly so I think that it's the teachers responsibility to make the project fun and challenging so that the kids want to participate in it. You'll always have the kids that don't want to but that sometimes can't be helped.
-They also would be giving more control of what the kids learn, to the kids. If you give the kids unmonitored internets the you are
basically giving them freedom to multitask when they do their work. So you will have to assume kids will do their work and also work on other things as well.
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Julien Drehsen
Discuss: Games That Teach
There is a robust debate about how what happens in virtual worlds may affect behaviors and actions in the real world. Researchers and educators are exploring how video games can be used in real-world ways both positive and practical; for example, in military training, medicine, mental health and education.What do you think?
- I think that there are good and bad to everything. Just like James Paul Gee stated in his interview, everything can be used for good or bad and it will. So nothing is absolutely 100% used positivly. With that being said, we know that there is a problem with video game addiction and that there are people who sit on their couch all day and play combat games or other ones instead of going to a job or talking to their family, BUT that is a very small percentage compared to the part of society that plays games for recreation and simultaneously acquiring these extra skills they might not have other wise had. And i think that those people are proof enough that gaming has an overall positive effect on society.
- Games can teach if its the right kind of game. Apparently kids who play video games are more likely to be literate than someone who watches tv. That tells you something...games can be educationally halpful. Helena
- Every game teaches, something even if it is just how to play that one game. In a game where you just have to kill zombie kittens, for example, you are learning how to kill zombie kittens, if nothing else. The question should be what should games be teaching, not should games teach? Because games will teach whomever is playing them. I think there needs to be a distinction between video games and real life simulations, as the line between the two is beginning to blur with video games becoming closer and closer to real life simulations. I think if any field can successfully learn from video games that they should do so, as real life experiences are more memorable and easier to recall than simply reading instruction. -
andmey Feb 24, 2010 - If I shoot someone in the head, in a video game, that is nothing like doing that in real life. Video games are only a simulation, they give the player no emotional connection to situations. They are made to entertain, to escape the real world. I don't see how we can use these games to switch from recreation to preparation- except for on a minimal level. Video games can help, but they can't solve problems.
- I believe that there is benefit from games to the world, but there are some that may cause kids who know no better to become voilent in life only because they saw it in a fantasy world that seems so real, so why not do that in real life too? Taylor
- I think that games can teach. However, there is a caveat, I think that they will be more effective teaching tools if the players know what they are learning, rather than having an outsider realize that the games are teaching people. I think that the majority of people play video games as stress relief, to keep themselves from having direct human to human contact, and because they really enjoy the games and can get lost in them. I think that educational video games are great, and that there is a real need for more of them to teach different skills. Perhaps video games could replace the " for Dummies" manuals. There is a great deal of opportunity for videogames, and I think that they should be used to train people in many different settings. However this training should be paired with "real life" training also. -
catherinemccurdy Feb 24, 2010 - I think to an extent that you can use videogames to learn and to teach but I think that's only at the beginning of training. Always, it would be more helpful to have real physical training, for instance I would not want a doctor to do surgery on me if he had only done virtual surgery. I also think that too much violent video game playing definitely affects the way that you act, and that there is probably a limit to how much is considered healthy and unhealthy.
- James Paul Gee, had stated it very well when he claimed that these things can be used for either positive or negative purposes. Video games are a type of social collaboration tool that can help develop students' abilities to collaborate amongst eachother to fight a zombie invasion, or any other type of goal. There is a caveat, associated with certain games that contain criminal acts. Obviously one can do that in a virtual world, yet in reality there are dire consequences that go with those actions, therefore its up to the gamers to understand its a game and not reality. These types of games are already integrated with military training, US soldiers use gaming machines to better learn different acts of engagement and combat. Unfortunately I'm not aware of the applications with medicine and mental health/education. -
cporra Mar 4, 2011
-Where Do You Stand? Games That Teach
Choose one of the statements from the poll to discuss further . . .There's no real difference between reading and playing video games. They are both diversions that take you out of the real world.
- There is an extreme difference between reading and playing video games. On a broad scale they can both challenge the mind and introduce a fanciful world, but reading opens the door the an entirely different array of learning that video games will never be able to do.
- Reading is completely one sided - The author's point of view won't change if you disagree with the text. If you prove the author wrong, the text won't magically rearrange itself to say something that is agreeable to you. Video games allow for interactivity. The brain develops while experiencing various situations, and learns complex social skills and patterns that could not be taught by books alone. Video games do not replace reading; Books allow the reader to view the world through another's eyes, while games allow you to create a world that is entirely your own, based on your own actions and decisions. There is much to be learned from both. A student who only pays attention to video games will be as unsuccessful as a school that only teaches from books. -
ZaneTRushing Feb 24, 2010ZaneTRushing - Reading is extremely different from playing video games. Although they both engage the mind, many two things engage the mind that are not the same (for example watching tv and listening to music). Reading is more challenging and requires concentration and the ability to sit down and stay focused for a certain amount of time while videogames don't require the same things. You don't necessarily need to be focused to play videogames and many of them are non-educational, while I think you can always find a book that would be educational in some way.
-People learn important collaborative skills when playing online games.
People who use video games are gaining skills that make them more effective in the real world.
Even if academic experts think video games are useful, addiction to video games is a real problem.
But on the other hand there is the dangerous aspect of addiction to an irreal world.Nothing they do in the space of media and the internet is directly changing teheir real lives.So just playing video games for increasing your groupwork is good, but as all the games have an addicting factor, since they have been produced to sell as many of them as possible and keeping the gamers playing it, the people being involved are in danger of loosing parts of their real life and not being able just to talk to someone, who is phisically right in front of them, because they have actually been all alone playing their games.
Julien Drehsen
Collaborative work is not genuinely valued in schools because tests are all about individual performance.
When people play videogames, they gain insight and learn about themselves.
The use of monitoring software on school laptops is an unethical type of spying.
Interesting Ideas
What were the most interesting ideas you discovered in Digital Nation: Learning?Why did these resonate with you?
Questions & Comments
Please pose at least one question and respond to at least one question about Digital Nation: Learning?